If I were to encourage someone facing deep trouble I would say “wait.”
Time is more important than any thought or experience. Thoughts and experiences that heal are significant. They shape things, but time and staying faithful is really the key to healing.
I think that is demonstrated in the lives of many great saints of the faith, and it appears to be in my life, too. In my humble opinion. Time heals all wounds—a trope, but true.
To have your spiritual antennae grow back after trauma takes time.
God is always there, but you are suffering. You are wounded, in pain, and unable to perceive His presence as normal.
Wait.
Stay the course.
Wait.
Keep praying, keep reading the Bible, keep forcing yourself to sit in the pews on Sunday morning. Keep following and obeying Christ’s commands.
Just do it.
And wait.
Out of faithfulness will come joy and peace, renewed life, and, eventually, heavenly reward.
We are human. We are fragile and vulnerable. We will be damaged! We will have trials and tribulations in this world. That is a given.
But God remains, and God heals.
It just takes time.
You cannot rush the process.
This is an encouragement, meant as encouragement, to someone who is reeling in the throes of trauma. Your job is patient healing, waiting, and staying the course.
Run the race. Stay on course. Be patient. Wait.
MARANATHA